This is the exact circular discussion exABF and I must've had 100 times before I would step out and just watch him talk. In the same fashion that is described here, we would begin talking, I would recognize what was coming, and literally step away from the conversation.
I don't know how many times I would observe exABF standing there arguing with himself for a good 20 minutes after I hadn't even said a word.
When I read this, it brought back some memories, and now I can laugh at them. At the time, maybe I couldn't, and I hope you don't take offense at the humor I'm finding in it today.
We can all find a duck when we need one, can't we?